804 Lady Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, United States
Columbia's Vinyasa Yoga Studio
About Us
Maria J. Platanis,RN,HHP RYT-500
Maria J. Platanis,RN,HHP RYT-500
Maria J. Platanis,RN,HHP RYT-500
Maria J. Platanis is a registered nurse with a certification in Holistic Health Practice. She loves teaching vinyasa yoga. Her focus is to create an environment where the community can come together to find balance and support.
Ian C. Bonnema RYT-500
Maria J. Platanis,RN,HHP RYT-500
Maria J. Platanis,RN,HHP RYT-500
Ian C. Bonnema works in the construction industry and loves teaching Wall and Restorative yoga. He also enjoys strength building vinyasa classes. Service to the Community is fundamental to yoga practice.
Kelsey Collins RYT-200
Maria J. Platanis,RN,HHP RYT-500
Kelsey Collins RYT-200
Although Kelsey has been practicing yoga for years, she is new to the yoga teaching world, She recently completed her RYT 200 training in August 2020. She is passionate about vinyasa yoga and loves the sense of peace each practice brings her.
Logan Griffith RYT-200
Juliet Hewitt, RYT-500 and Certified Yoga Tune Up® Teacher
Kelsey Collins RYT-200
Logan is a former collegiate swimmer who found her way to yoga through an injury. She slowly fell in love with the inner heat, the poses, and the yoga off the mat. She completed her 200 hr training in 2018 and teaching yoga became one of her deepest passions. She mostly teaches vinyasa based classes, restorative classes, and meditation.
Logan is a former collegiate swimmer who found her way to yoga through an injury. She slowly fell in love with the inner heat, the poses, and the yoga off the mat. She completed her 200 hr training in 2018 and teaching yoga became one of her deepest passions. She mostly teaches vinyasa based classes, restorative classes, and meditation. In 2020, she also became a SUP Yoga teacher, combining her first love of the water with yoga.
Juliet Hewitt, RYT-500 and Certified Yoga Tune Up® Teacher
Juliet Hewitt, RYT-500 and Certified Yoga Tune Up® Teacher
Juliet Hewitt, RYT-500 and Certified Yoga Tune Up® Teacher
I often say that I’m an “accidental” yoga teacher. After 10 years of teaching fitness classes, my path to yoga started in 2000 when my Columbia YMCA supervisor convinced me to take a weekend teacher training program. I am so grateful that I said “yes,” because that weekend program sparked my passion to learn more about yoga and share
I often say that I’m an “accidental” yoga teacher. After 10 years of teaching fitness classes, my path to yoga started in 2000 when my Columbia YMCA supervisor convinced me to take a weekend teacher training program. I am so grateful that I said “yes,” because that weekend program sparked my passion to learn more about yoga and share what I had learned with others.
Since then, I have had the great fortune to study with many amazing teachers and have completed teacher certification programs with Holy Cow Yoga in 2003 and Carolina Yoga in 2009. I held an Anusara-Inspired certification from 2007 until April 2012, and am now a Yoga Alliance, RYT-500 certified teacher. In 2016, I became a certified Yoga Tune Up® teacher learning how to add therapy balls and corrective exercises in my yoga classes.
I teach an alignment-based yoga practice with an emphasis on taking the body through a full range of motion eliminating pain, strengthening musculature around the joints, and downregulating the nervous system. My goal as a teacher is to help you find freedom in your body and an enhanced sense of well being.
About Yoga
Yoga for Everyone
Yoga unites the mind, body, and soul in a way that eases tension, reduces inflammation, and promotes health and well being. Regular practice will help you reach improve and perfect poses, correct posture and positioning, and improve your breathing and outlook on life.
Enhance Your Wellness
Yoga is a great way to improve your endurance in other physical activities. After a run, or heavy workout, yoga will help your body relax while stretching, strengthening, and lengthening the muscles you were just working on.
Calm Your Mind
Yoga not only helps improve your body, but also helps with mindfulness and meditation. It is important to take a break from daily life in order to focus on yourself and get clarity. Focusing on your breath during practice is key to staying in tune with your mind and body.